Can patients with hepatitis B donate blood?

Under normal circumstances, hepatitis B refers to hepatitis B viral infection, and individuals with hepatitis B viral infection are not allowed to donate blood.

Hepatitis B is a contagious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The blood of individuals infected with HBV contains the virus. If a person with hepatitis B donates blood, the HBV present in their blood may be transmitted to the recipient through blood transfusion, leading to HBV infection in the recipient. Once HBV enters the body, it replicates extensively in the liver, attacks liver cells, causes damage to hepatocytes, triggers an inflammatory response, and significantly impairs normal liver function. Long-term HBV infection can progress to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer, posing a serious threat to the recipient's health.

The blood of blood donors must undergo strict screening tests, including testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV). If the test results show that the donor is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), it indicates the presence of HBV in the donor's body, and the individual is not eligible to donate blood regardless of whether liver function is normal. Although blood testing technology can screen donors effectively, blood donation regulations directly exclude individuals with hepatitis B to prevent risk at the source. This is because the virus may not be accurately detected during the testing window period, and once transmitted to the recipient, it can still cause infection.

To ensure the safety and health of blood recipients, individuals with hepatitis B should avoid donating blood. At the same time, hepatitis B patients should actively seek treatment and management to reduce liver damage caused by the virus and prevent further disease progression. Additionally, family members and close contacts of hepatitis B patients should also take precautions and receive timely vaccination to reduce the risk of infection.